This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
Published on September 30, 2019, a picture emerged on social media showing a gaunt-looking and wanted Mombasa tycoon Ali Badruddin Punjani enjoying a sunny day at his residence in Nyali.
According to reports, Punjani had sneaked back into Mombasa unnoticed, sparking claims that he was freely living in the city.
A detective confirmed to local media that Punjani had entered Kenya through the Lungalunga border last week, flying from Mumbai to Dar es Salaam where he has investments.
It has now emerged that Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho is the man who brokered the secret return of Punjani, using his closeness to President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga to persuade them to spare Punjani from arrest threats.
Punjani is close to the Joho family and has donated police vehicles to the country in the past. He also funded ODM's presidential campaign in 2017.
